A number of concerns

We assume Gov. Andrew Cuomo, while orchestrating his re-election campaign and a potential White House run, keeps a close eye on his performance ratings. If so, he might need some cheering up: The latest opinion survey by the Loudonville-based Siena Research Institute shows Cuomo’s popularity slipping.

The survey isn’t all bad for the governor. Individual initiatives like the SAFE Act, his stringent gun-control law, are strongly supported by state voters; others – including a plan to fund college classes for prison inmates – enjoy marginal support. All told, almost two-thirds of respondents consider Cuomo an “effective governor.”

That sounds good, but it’s actually Cuomo’s lowest “effective” rating in five months – and the numbers nosedive from there.

The governor’s Dream Act, which would provide college tuition assistance for illegal immigrants, is opposed by 56 percent of voters. Just 15 percent believe the quality of education in New York has improved since Cuomo took over, while a mere 19 percent say their personal finances are better – and 45 percent believe the state’s finances are worse.

Overall, the governor earned an unimpressive 46 percent job-approval rating. But fortunately for him, it doesn’t appear the mixed review will hurt his re-election chances: According to the poll, Cuomo holds a comfortable 35-point lead over his Republican opponent, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.